Sticky Note Conversations

Welcome back to Sticky Note Conversations! In this touching episode, Erika speaks with Mayor Kelly Garrett, the first African American mayor of Lathrup Village, Mi. Kelly shares her journey of resilience after the tragic loss of her son Chandler, who passed away from sickle cell anemia. They discuss how Kelly has made impactful changes in her community, secured millions in funding, and established...

Join us on Sticky Note Conversations with Erika Washington as we dive into an inspiring interview with Erica Gallegos, co-director of the Childcare for Every Family Network. Over the past 12 years, Erica has championed childcare rights in New Mexico, working tirelessly with childcare providers, parents, and community leaders to secure better wages, access, and systemic change. Erica shares her jou...

Welcome to Sticky Note Conversations with your host, Erika Washington. In this week's episode, Erika is joined by Dr. Cheryl Neely, a sociology professor and author of 'No Human Involved.' They dive into discussing Dr. Neely's research on the serial murders of Black women and girls, the systemic indifference of law enforcement, and the deeply ingrained issues of racism and sexism in policing. Hear...

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington delves into a heartfelt discussion with Dr. Frantonia Pollins, a global business strategist, transformational leader, and wealth empowerment coach. They explore the topics of womanhood, perimenopause, menopause, and the broader societal and historical forces impacting Black women. Dr. Pollins shares her personal journey from homel...

Join Erika Washington on Sticky Note Conversations as she sits down with Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley. In this insightful episode, Mayor Berkeley discusses her extensive career in politics that spans over four decades, her motivations rooted in her family's immigrant history, and her dedication to public service. They explore key issues facing Las Vegas, including immigration, homelessness, and...

In this week's episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with former Nevada State Senator Kelvin Atkinson. They discuss his experiences as one of the first openly black gay senators in Nevada, his personal challenges including his time incarcerated, and his journey of resilience. Kelvin opens up about his upbringing, the tragic loss of his father, his path to political...

Join host Erika Washington in this heartfelt episode of 'Sticky Note Conversations' as she sits down with Dr. Tiffany Tyler-Garner, a professional in workforce development and a dedicated community advocate. Dr. Tyler-Garner discusses her new book, 'The Journey Inward: Four Seasons of Reflection,' a year-long guide to healing and self-reflection. The conversation dives deep into personal journey s...

In this episode of 'Sticky Note Conversations with Erika Washington,' host Erika engages in a compelling discussion with Kwami Abdul-Bey, a civic leader, historian, and advocate. Kwami, a recently divorced single father, disabled Air Force veteran, published author, and radio talk show host, shares his extensive experiences in public service, elections coordination, and grassroots organizing. The...

In this heartwarming episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington is joined by her friend Derek Washington to discuss the profound yet often overlooked topics of death, caregiving, and the complexities of end-of-life preparations. From shared memories of their mothers' passing to the challenges of dealing with the bureaucracy of death, Erika and Derek offer candid insights and poign...

Join Erika Washington on this week's episode of 'Sticky Note Conversations' as she speaks with Shonda Summers-Armstrong, a dedicated public servant and city councilwoman of Ward 5 in Las Vegas. Learn about Shonda's journey, her commitment to her community, and her impactful work in public service. They discuss community advocacy, policy making, and the importance of equitable opportunities for all...

In this engaging episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Alicia Contreras Alas, Founding Executive Director of Corazone Arizona. The discussion explores the challenges and emotional toll of social justice work, the importance of rest and resilience, and the power of community organizing. Alicia shares her recent experience with a residency that allowed her to pau...

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, hosted by Erika Washington, we delve into the captivating world of Black cinema with the hosts of 'The Micheaux Mission,' Vincent Williams and Len Webb. We explore their mission to review every African American film ever released, discuss the importance of Blaxploitation films, and highlight the camaraderie and passion that fuels their long-running pod...

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington, Executive Director of Make It Work Nevada, sits down with Nevada State Attorney General Aaron Ford for a compelling, multifaceted conversation. They discuss Ford's journey from facing personal struggles including single parenthood and relying on welfare, to raising successful children and becoming the state's top legal officer. T...

In this week's episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Kwame Simmons Sr., founder and lead facilitator of The Simmons Advantage. Kwame shares his journey from educator to consultant, focusing on organizational change, leadership development, and workforce development, especially for people with disabilities. Tune in as they discuss the impact of Brown vs. Board o...

(00:00) - Introduction to Sticky Note Conversations (00:46) - Meet A'shanti Gholar: A Vegas Original (03:19) - The Importance of Self-Care in Politics (06:19) - A'shanti's Childhood and Political Awakening (09:19) - Journey to the DNC and Coalition Building (28:42) - Challenges and Triumphs of Women in Politics (32:17) - Emerge: Empowering Women to Lead (37:18) - Women Stepping Up: Emerge Rising (...

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Nevada Assembly Member Duy Nguyen. They delve into Duy's journey as an immigrant from Vietnam to becoming the first Vietnamese immigrant elected to office in Nevada. As the founder and president of One A PIA Nevada and a legislator, Duy discusses his roles as a husband, father, business owner, and community advocate...

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington delves into an engaging dialogue with Dr. Lori Lee, a PhD anthropologist specializing in historical archeology from Syracuse University's Maxwell School. Dr. Lee discusses her extensive background in anthropology, her fascination with historical and contemporary human behaviors, and her work at Flagler College. From unraveling the...

In this compelling episode of 'Sticky Note Conversations,' host Erika Washington engages in a profound dialogue with Aimee Allison, the founder and president of She The People. They delve into the complex history of lynching, the flawed nature of American democracy, the critical role of Black women in politics, and the emotional weight of recent political events. Drawing on personal experiences an...

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erica Washington welcomes her friend and advocate, Tamika Henry. They dive into topics around Tamika's life and work, including her role as a trustee for the Clark County School District (CCSD) and her efforts in fighting multi-generational poverty through the Abodo Collective. They discuss the challenges faced by the Las Vegas school system, the...

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erica chats with Nina Nova, a longtime friend and colleague in activism, about her transition from reproductive justice work to the adult film industry. Nina discusses her journey, the challenges of advocacy work, and the empowerment she finds in sex work. Together, they explore topics such as ethical porn, safety measures, and the intersection of...

Join Erika Washington in this enlightening episode of Sticky Note Conversations as she sits down with Lucy Flores, a former Nevada State Assemblywoman, former candidate for Congress, lawyer, media entrepreneur, and advocate. Lucy shares her journey from a challenging upbringing in Las Vegas to a significant career in public service and media. Together, they discuss the nuances of growing up in Las...

 In this episode, Erika interviews Dawn Blagrove, Executive Director of Emancipate North Carolina. They discuss the fight against systemic racism, the importance of abolition, and the need for Black communities to become self-sustaining. Dawn shares her journey from a legal background to leading a nonprofit organization and her passion for creating art as a means of finding peace in the struggle f...

 Join Erika as she converses with recurring guest, Derek Washington in part 2 of their conversation on a range of topics, from Skip Gates' new show 'The Great Migration' and a personal story about tracing roots to Mississippi, to the significance of media portrayals in shows like Yellowstone and American Primeval. They also dive into the role of the Democratic Party, evolving work dynamics, and th...

Erika welcomes recurring guest Derek Washington to discuss media and Black representation and how to care for ourselves and our families in 2025. They debate the merits of ratchet culture in music, Derek talks about his disillusionment with liberal mainstream media, and Erika considers what it really means to “have it all.” Thanks for listening to Sticky Note Conversations with Erika Washington, h...

Erika Washington kicks off a new season of Sticky Note Conversations with guest Alvin Hill. They discuss the current political climate in 2025, the impact of DEI program removals, and the role of celebrities in politics. Alvin shares insights from his life,  and entrepreneurial journey, and offers a unique perspective on the difference between 'reporting' and 'snitching' within his culture. Thanks...